Another Worshipper.

We all have to worship something. I worship God.

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To His Excellency

I’ve been a worship leader for a few years now, and it’s been quite the journey. Just last week I was reminiscing on the point in time when I stepped into the role, and how often it epic failed. I had never been given any instruction on how to lead worship, but just basically told “Sing to God, and that’s all that matters.” Needless to say, I have found several other factors that are important to my concept of leading worship.

Now, of course there are several different things that I bucked against at first. The whole concept of a congregational key was super lame to me at first, but now I see it in a new light. Being able to distinguish between performance and humble worship was a big one for me in the beginning. But among everything I’ve learned about leading worship, one thing has completely changed how I do ministry... Excellence.

We’ve all heard live bands before, and we’ve heard them make music that was absolutely rockin’. Then we’ve got bands in churches who play the wrong chords, they don’t regularly practice their instrument, they aren’t committed to attending, they don’t view their role as important. What does that say about our worship?

I look to the life of Daniel in the Bible. In Daniel 6:3, we read that Daniel was distinguished from others because an excellent spirit was in him. Daniel was committed to doing whatever He did to the absolute best he possibly could. Why? Because he was doing it all for the glory of God. And for that, he was rewarded.

I caught myself in a band practice a few years ago after a slightly horrible practice, saying “Well, I guess that’s good enough.” Immediately I found myself torn to have said something like that. I recognized something: My job as a worship leader is to sing praises to the King of Kings. If Daniel brought excellence to an earthly king... What should I be expected to bring to the King of Kings?

If you find yourself doing ministry, please let this sink into your heart. Whatever we are doing in the name of Christ, let it be excellent. If you are leading worship, push yourself and encourage the others to do the absolute best you possibly can. Don’t allow wrong chords to exist in your worship. Don’t allow poorly practiced songs be sung to the Almighty God. If you find yourself doing labour, do it to your absolute best to please God. If you are teaching Sunday School... If you are doing office jobs... If you are vacuuming... If you are washing windows... If you are mowing lawns... Do it to the tune of excellence. God deserves our absolute best with no excuses. Give Him what He deserves.

Lord, there have been times that we haven’t given You the best. You deserve our absolute best and help us to understand that and push ourselves to make You the focus of our desire to become excellent. Amen.

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#Christmas

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What do you know?

This past week, my wife and I read a verse in the Bible that made me cringe. I had heard it before, but it’s almost like it suddenly became real to me.

James 2:19 - You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. [NLT]

Man, that got me.

It prompted this question in my mind: What differs your beliefs from Satan?

If you check out an overview of the New Testament, you’ll find that Satan is quite aware of the victory that Jesus has achieved. Satan knows that Jesus was crucified and came back to life. Satan knows that people are saved then they repent and turn to Jesus. Satan knows all of that.

We often equate our faith with what we believe. Well, I believe that God can heal, therefore I have faith. I believe God can provide, therefore I have faith. I believe God is all powerful, therefore I have faith. What if I told you that even the demons believe those things?

As Christians, we’ve got to step up our game. Seriously. We often talk about the things we believe, but we don’t have any groundwork to show for them. If you truly believe those things, make them a reality in your life. You believe God can provide? TRUST HIM TO PROVIDE. You believe God can heal? TRUST HIM TO HEAL¹!

I don’t want us to be known as the generation who believed, but rather as the generation who actually trusted God.

Lord, shape our hearts. Help us to see who You have revealed Yourself as in Your Word, and to actually trust You in those things.

Amen.

¹ I am in no way encouraging people to not seek necessary medical attention. I believe that God can provide healing in many ways, including medical practices.

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I am quite in love with this woman. Super thankful for her and her sweet heart.

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Jonah Prays

This past week, I covered the second section of my series in Jonah. This week’s addition was called “Jonah Prays.”

When we last left Jonah, he was floating in the water after being thrown overboard because of his decision to flee from the presence of God (which was prompting him to go to Nineveh.

When I was a child, I remember wondering what the other people in the boat thought when they saw Jonah getting swallowed by this giant sea creature. In reading the passage further, though, I came to realize a few cool things. Let’s dissect Jonah’s prayer.

I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me.“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. 3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God.

The interesting part about this chunk is that there are theories that are floating around that perhaps Jonah died during this whole whale experience. From a scientific perspective, it’s quite hard to explain how a man survived this entire experience from any angle, but particularly the concept of Jonah being in the belly of a sea creature. That is quite the feat! In my opinion, there are one of two miracles that happened here, which I am unsure of: 1. Jonah indeed survived the entire experience by miracle of God, or 2. Jonah died and was resurrected three days later.

Why do I like the second theory? Because in Matthew 12:40, Jesus uses Jonah as an example of a sign of the resurrection that He Himself would experience. While it is not clear cut that Jonah was definitely a dead man, I think it’s a really cool possibility.

In this section, we also find that Jonah was deep, deep, deep in the ocean when he was caught up by a “big fish.” Jonah was so deep that seaweed was wrapping around his head and he felt like the earth was closing in around him. Sounds like, at the very least, a near death experience. Jonah was definitely deep in the water, so the sea men likely had no idea what was going on.

7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.

8 “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

So, there’s two big things we can learn from this section.

The first thing we can learn - our actions have consequences! There are times we are going to flat out go on the wrong path. Jonah got on the right path and was shown grace, but he had to go through a lot on the path back to the right place. When we look at Jonah’s prayer, one major thing we can learn is that our actions, whether we repent of them or not, end up with consequences at some point.

The second thing we can learn - it’s never too late to make things right. Jonah really messed up. In fact, he went in the total opposite direction of where God wanted him to go. Yet God still have Jonah a second chance, and Jonah was ever thankful to God for it. There are times we are going to actually make horrible, wrong decisions. The important thing is that we fess up that we made a mistake, and we try to make things right. It’s doesn’t mean that the mistake never happened (and part of the consequence as mentioned above is that people tend to remember!), but it shows that you care enough to try and make it better.

Thank you God for grace.

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Jonah Runs

Tonight at youth, we started a new series on Jonah. Jonah honestly fascinates me for many reasons. There are so many small things that can be learned through the story. In the first week, we focused on the first “stop” in the story, which covered Jonah’s call and turn from God, leading up to him jumping off the boat he was travelling on.

Now, here’s the thing that just stuck out to me big time as I studied this today. When you read more formal translations such as NASB, NKJV, and KJV, they all hold this interesting statement - Jonah was fleeing “to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (emphasis added).

Twice it is made clear that Jonah is running from the presence of God. Not a person, not a city, not a boat... But the presence of God.

Now, here’s what caught my attention. Immediately, I thought of the song “Holy Spirit.” We sing it often, and I thought of the words - “Let us become more aware of Your presence.” I’m thinking, ‘Why would Jonah want to leave the presence of God?!’

Then it hit me - There are times the presence of God is uncomfortable. There are times God is going to ask us to do things that take us out of our comfort zones. Things we don’t feel like doing. That’s uncomfortable. There are times we are going to enter into the presence of God and feel convicted of things in our lives that haven’t dealt with - Things that stand between us and God. That’s uncomfortable. Jonah was in the presence of God, but he knew that the presence of God was directing him into a place he did not want to go - a place that was out of his comfort zone.

Like many others would do today, Jonah chose to pursue another lifestyle. He went in the opposite direction. I look at my own life and how many times I’ve turned toward Tarshish and ran from my calling. I look at friends around me who are still on the boat to Tarshish, hanging on for dear life. 

I challenged the teens tonight to stand firm in their calling. When they reach a “Joppa,” to turn toward Nineveh - To stay in the presence of God - to obey the call. Is it always cozy and fun? Absolutely not. But it is always rewarding.

Jonah felt uncomfortable because he was in the presence of God, but his heart was in the wrong place. Let us be a generation whose heartfelt desire is to be in a solid place with God, no matter what direction He sends us.

Amen.

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Walking through the Valley

One of my favourite Psalms (join the club, right?) is Psalm 23.

There’s a particular part of this Psalm that I like to zone in on, though...

Even when I walk through the darkest valley1, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4, NLT

Wow. What a promise!

Now here’s a cool twist on this passage. The wording in this is quite interesting. “Even when I walk.” It doesn’t say, “Even when I lay down and give up and hope to die in the valley,” is says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley.”

God is always near us, always protecting and comforting. But we’ve got to keep moving forward. We’ve got to keep making steps toward progress.

I like how Paul puts it when he writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6.

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12, NLT

We’ve got to keep fighting the good faith. We can’t lay down and die. We can’t give up. We’ve got to keep moving on. We’ve got to trust in God to provide, to protect, to see us through. We’ve got to keep fighting the good fight, even in the darkest valley. Don’t let darkness hold you down.

We’ve got to keep fighting that good fight. Even when it’s hard times and long days. Trust in Jesus. Keep the faith. Keep fighting that fight. You can do it.

1 NLT study notes say, “or ‘the dark valley of death.’”

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When Religion Bites

We’ve all been there before. We’ve met a Christian person who seems to be the pinnacle of the Christian faith... Yet, even with all their religious conditioning, they just seem... Rude! They have a tinge of dishonesty, maybe some mistrust, maybe they’ve spread some gossip to your demise... Yet, somehow, they are labeled as the biggest, most perfect Christian.

So that bears the question... What is a Christian?

You know, there is a popular movement that was birthed some years ago that decided to remove religion from the picture. “I don’t want religion,” they say, “I just want relationship.” Well, good luck, because by making that statement alone, you are making a religious statement. Regardless, this whole topic brings to mind a question that was asked of me by one of my youth, “Why are Christians so mean?”

Okay, drop the mic. End the service. We’re done for tonight.

It’s true though! Some of today’s Christians are just plain rude. So what is a Christian? Well, if you break it down, the word itself is “Christ - ian.” To be of, or to follow, Christ. Is someone really following Christ when they are rude? When they gossip? When they spread dishonesty?

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! - Galatians 5:22-23, NLT

I don’t see room for rudeness, destruction, deceit, or gossiping in the listed fruit. When we become Christians, when the Holy Spirit resides inside of us, this is the kind of fruit that should be produced by our actions.

Religion should not be a shameful word, but it has been tarnished by those who proclaim it with their lips and shame it with their actions. As Christians, we must consider the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We must be intentional to produce that kind of fruit in our own lives, with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Exhibit self-control. Make the change that will un-shame the word ‘religion.’ Own it and live it.

Lord, help us to accomplish true and pure relationship with You. Empower us to live lives that are pure and approached with self-control. Help us to show the world Your love, and not to spread a false Gospel consumed with gossip and hatred that would bring shame to Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

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But they cried out, 'Away with Him! Crucify Him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?' The nation answered, 'We have no King but ourselves!'

If Christ came to North America today

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How deep the Father’s love.

Just a few nights ago, I was laying in bed after devotionals, and I could not sleep a wink. I could barely close my eyes, let alone actually get to sleep.

I am definitely a thinker, so when I finished my devotions, I was stuck thinking on the topic of God’s love for me. Little did I know that this thought would resound with me for days to come, even to this moment.

What I came to realize was that, despite my failures and faults, and even in the middle of my failures and faults, God loves me. Like, a real, truthful love, that no fairytale could ever capture.

It really broke my heart. I looked at my wife, who was then sleeping, and I thought about the love that she has for me, and I for her. I considered that, through human action, that love can fade. There are actions that she could perform that could damage that love between her and I. There are actions that I could perform that could damage that love between her and I. But God... No matter what we do, we are in His love.

Why did it break my heart? Because I considered all the times that I’ve sinned in the face of His love. You could say I’ve been a backstabber to God several times. In fact, that is the case for any Christian who has turned their life to God and then committed sin thereafter.

But then I also found joy. Joy in that, no matter where I’ve gone, Christ will meet me there with grace and forgiveness. Praise God for His love.

Romans 6:1&2 [NLT] - “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”

Amen.

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Faith like that.

In reading over my message for youth group, I was checking out the story of Abraham and Isaac.

In case you don’t know it, here’s a quick simplified summary:

Abraham and his wife Sarah couldn’t have kids, but God promised them a child. They have one and name him Isaac. One day, God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on an altar. Without question, Abraham leads Isaac up a mountain to an altar. Isaac asks, “dad, where is our sacrifice?” Abraham replies, “God will provide.” Just as Abraham, raises his blade to slay Isaac, who is now bound on the altar, God speaks to Abraham and says “Don’t harm your son! The whole point of this was to prove your faithfulness. You pass. Now take this goat as an offering.” So a goat appears and now Abraham releases Isaac and together they sacrifice this goat.

Amazing story when you consider these were two real people. This isn’t just come made up story, but if you believe the Bible is true, then this is a real life father-son situation.

I’ve heard many people commend Abraham for his faith here, but in reading it tonight, it took a different perspective. What about Isaac?

Isaac knew well enough to know there was no sacrifice. Abraham was carrying a blade, but no goat. Totally uncommon! They were getting closer to the altar, closer and closer… Still no sacrifice. “Uhh… Dad… Where’s the sacrifice?”

I imagine you could cut the tension with a knife.

"God will provide."

And, from our records, that’s all we know of the conversation. Isaac just keeps going. Now, after the cat is officially out of the bag that there is no current sacrifice, I’m sure Isaac put 2&2 together. ‘Gulp…. That leaves me.’

Yet, what astounds me is that Isaac still doesn’t turn and run. He doesn’t kick and scream. He just continues. Right to the point where his father binds him up on the altar, and Isaac watches Abraham, his own father, lift the blade above him. I can just imagine the emotion for Abraham, yet Isaac remains obedient!

I just wonder what Christianity would look like if we all took that kind of stance. Not to murder our offspring or let old men with beards slice us up, but to remain obedient to God, even to the last second when it seems there is no way out. I’m sure Isaac thought he was about to die. Yet, he had such faith that we see no record of resistance. Now THAT’S impressive faith. That’s total devotion to God.

Lord, help us see Your ways, and acknowledge that You have good in store, even when it seems like all is lost. Help us to trust You even in the extreme difficulties, when things just don’t make sense. Help us know that You will provide. Amen.

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"Teach These Things..."

There is a really cool verse that I have kind of looked to as my cornerstone in the Christian faith for a long time now. There is a lot of great content poured into this passage:

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

1 Timothy 4:11-12, NLT

There are a few key things that I love about this passage.

1. "Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them."

This is something I've been challenging myself in as a teacher/preacher. Paul doesn't tell Timothy, "Hey, try to teach the people and, if all fails, try again next week." No, Paul tells Timothy to insist that everyone learn. It's not good enough that people are willing to fill a pew and hear the things a preacher has to say, but their lives should be able to be transformed by what is said. That has challenged me in two areas:

1. Prepare messages that people are able to understand and learn from 2. Challenge the people that have heard the message to put it into action

I think that, if you are going to insist that people learn anything, religious or not, it needs to have these factors to some degree. First, they need to understand the material, and second, they need to understand how to put it into action in their own life. I want to prepare messages that make that mark.

2. "Be an example..."

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

The cool thing about this part is that it pretty much sums up your whole life. Now, you've got to understand, Paul is the one writing here, and he is training a young pastor named Timothy on developing as a leader. I think that Paul was not only challenging believers to step up to these qualities, but even more so Timothy, who was their leader.

Be careful what you say. Be careful how you live. Love freely. Be faithful. Be pure.

Definitely some encouraging words that I hold on to. When I am struggling with something, I consider these words in the Bible.

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Close....

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Millrats!

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Figure out what you are passionate about, and change the world.

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#CanadianBreakfast mmmm